Florida Animal Info

At Wild Florida, you will see an array of Wildlife around our nature preserve. Below is just a quick glance at the animals that call Wild Florida HOME. You can also download an Animal Search Page to bring with you on your Orlando Airboat Tour!

		Alligator- The American Alligator is a tough creature. They have beat extinction and are now thriving. The Alligator’s population is more than one million and growing. The species is more than 150 million years old. They live in the freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the Southeastern United States, mainly in Louisiana and Florida.Learn More
		American Coot- The American Coot is often mistaken for a duck. They can be many colors including black, white, red, red-brown, gray-green, or gray. Their bills are white with a black ring around the tip. The American Coot feeds on insects, aquatic plants, amphibians, mollusks, and fish.Learn More
		Apple Snail- Apple snails can be found in slow-moving freshwater. They can grow to the size of an apple like the name suggests. Most apple snails have round shells shaded yellow or brown, however, there are also varieties with white or blue shells. Their tissues can be yellow, black, or gray.Learn More
		Bald Eagle-The bald eagle is not actually bald. They have snow white feathers on their head and tail. They are the proud national bird symbol of the United States.The bald eagle is powerful and uses its talons to catch fish.Learn More
		Florida Hippo- COW – Hundreds of years ago, long before tourists and cities, there was another Florida. One with zero buildings and green open space as far as the eye could see! After Ponce de Leon discovered Florida, he returned home to Spain to gather people and belongings. Upon his return in 1521, he brought horses and seven head of cattle. Spanish explorers turned Florida into America’s oldest cattle raising state.Learn More
		Florida Softshell Turtle-The Florida Softshell Turtle is the largest of the softshell turtles. The juvenile turtle has an olive color with large gray spots and yellow and orange markings on their head. The young markings are mostly lost with age. The adult turtles are brownish-gray in color. Their shells are covered with skin and are soft on the edges.Learn More
		Glossy Ibis- The glossy ibis is a wading bird and is the most widespread of all the ibis. It is found in North, South, and Central America, the Greater Antilles, South Europe, Africa, Asia, India and Australia. It has a lifespan of 26 years. The glossy ibis can weigh up to 29 ounces and has a wingspan of up to 3 feet.Learn More
		Great Blue Heron-The tall, long-legged great blue heron is the most common and largest of North American herons. Great blue herons are waders, usually seen along the coast, in marshes, or close to the shores of ponds or streams. They are perfect fishers.Learn More
		Great White Egret-This long-necked white bird is found throughout the Americas. Great egrets are found near water and feed in wetlands, streams, ponds, tidal flats, and other areas. They snag their meals by walking slowly or standing still for long periods of time, waiting for an animal to come within range of their long necks and sharp bills.Learn More
		Limpkin- The limpkin is a bird that lives in southern swamps and marshes. The most northern limpkin can be found in Florida. They have a lifespan of 12 years in the wild. Standing 2 ½ feet high, they weigh up to 3 pounds and have a wingspan of 3 feet. They are olive brown and streaked with white.Learn More
		Moorhen- The common moorhen are found in aquatic environments. They live in freshwater and brackish marshes, lakes, canals, and ponds with cattails and other vegetation. In the eastern United States and Canada, it breeds from Minnesota to New Brunswick and south to Florida.Learn More
		Osceola Turkey - The Osceola Turkey, also known as the Florida Turkey, can only be found on the Florida peninsula. This bird is smaller and darker in color than the Eastern Wild Turkey and was named after the famous Seminole Chief Osceola in 1890.Learn More
		Osprey - Ospreys can dive approximately three feet below the water’s surface! Because of this, they try to stay close to shallow fishing grounds. The osprey’s nesting habitat must include an adequate supply of accessible fish. Ospreys are the only hawk on the North American continent that exclusively eats fish.Learn More
		Raccoon - Raccoons are a familiar animal almost anywhere you go. They are very opportunistic and will eat just about anything. Raccoons snare a lot of the meals in the water. They can use their paws to grab crayfish, frogs, and other water animals.Learn More
		Sandhill Crane-Sandhill Cranes are the most common crane in the world. They are found mostly in North America. In Florida, Sandhill Cranes are found throughout the year. During the winter, there are more that come South to get away from the harsh winter weather.Most Sandhill Cranes live in freshwater wetlands.Learn More
		Snail Kite- The snail kite is a bird of prey with a long, slender hook bill, broad wings and a notched tail. They are black and white in color and the females have reddish feather tips. The snail kite has a wingspan of 4 feet and weighs up to 14 ounces. This bird has been called an Everglade Kite, Black Kite, Hook-billed Kite, and Snail Hawk.Learn More
		White Ibis- The white ibis is one of the most numerous wading birds in Florida and common in the southeast. They are very sociable. They roost and feed in flocks and nest in colonies. The ibis live in coastal freshwater, saltwater and brackish marshes, rice fields, mud flats, mangrove swamps and lagoons. They have a lifespan of 16 years in the wild. They stand at 2 feet tall with a 3 foot wingspan.Learn More

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